HIPPY first established in Arkansas through Clinton
I was pleased to read the article about HIPPY, the Israeli-born home instruction program (“Israeli education innovation helps poor American parents,” WJW, Oct. 15). HIPPY — Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youth — provides valuable education and parenting skills, here in the Washington area and across the country.
WJW readers should also know that HIPPY was brought to the United States by Hillary Clinton. After first hearing about the program, she contacted its Israeli developer Dr. Avima Lombard, then a researcher at Hebrew University. Impressed by what she heard, she established the first United States-based program in Arkansas, and then worked with the National Council of Jewish Women to extend it nationally.
In 2014, Clinton spoke at HIPPY’s 25th annual Avima D. Lombard Award Dinner on the importance of early education and how proud she was to have helped make HIPPY USA happen. “HIPPY has changed the lives of so many people,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be a HIPPY mom, and even more thrilled to be a HIPPY grandma.”
As I wrote in WJW in June, the story of Clinton and HIPPY is one my favorite examples of Hillary’s record: leadership and effective action on behalf of lifelong principles, like investing in children, and working with Israel as our ally.
ANN F. LEWIS
Friendship Heights
Ann F. Lewis served as senior adviser in the 2008 Hillary Clinton for President Campaign, where she oversaw outreach to women voters, and was a member of the communications team.
